Garfield loves the carpet on his shelter cat tree. He never felt such softness. Garfield is one of this season’s animal babies who entered a world that never wanted them. Yet, they’re born to mothers who love them more than their own lives.

Golden-boy Garfield’s mamma was abandoned and homeless. She survived near a tobacco store. Some people offered food. Others chased her away. In her sad, lonely, risky life, near that store was the safest place she knew. She gave birth to Garfield and his siblings there. Eventually she showed her kittens to people there. She had to. She needed help. Starving mothers can’t nurse babies they love.

His mamma and people cared for Garfield. But kittens can’t survive long, living behind a store.